The Memphis Grizzlies confirmed on Monday that star guard Ja Morant will be sidelined for at least two weeks due to a Grade 1 right calf strain. Morant sustained the injury during the first quarter of the Grizzlies’ loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday. He exited the game with 6:01 left in the opening period after scoring seven points on two-of-two shooting in just six minutes of play.
This latest injury adds to a challenging stretch for Morant, who had already missed the team’s previous game against the Boston Celtics due to a sore right ankle. The Grizzlies are currently struggling, having lost four consecutive games and eight of their last nine, leading up to their matchup against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center on Tuesday.
Morant, a two-time NBA All-Star, has been experiencing a difficult season. He is averaging career lows in several categories, including minutes per game (28.8), field-goal percentage (35.9%), three-point shooting percentage (16.7%), and rebounds (3.5). Furthermore, he is averaging a career-high 3.8 turnovers per game.
In addition to his performance issues, Morant faced disciplinary action earlier this season. He was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team after an incident following an Oct. 31 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he had a postgame exchange with head coach Tuomas Iisalo. Morant returned to action on November 3 against the Detroit Pistons after serving his suspension.
Currently in the third year of a five-year contract worth $197.2 million, signed in 2022, Morant’s availability has been hampered by injuries and suspensions over the last two seasons. He has participated in only 59 games during that period, raising concerns about his long-term impact on the team.
The Grizzlies will need to navigate Morant’s absence carefully as they aim to reverse their recent fortunes on the court. The upcoming games will be crucial for the team as they seek to regain momentum in the competitive Western Conference.
